1. Overview
Jemaine Atea Mahana Clement is a highly versatile New Zealand artist celebrated for his extensive contributions as an actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. Born in Masterton, New Zealand, Clement has significantly impacted global entertainment through his unique comedic style and multifaceted talents. He is widely recognized as one half of the critically acclaimed musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, alongside Bret McKenzie, which garnered international fame through their BBC radio series and Emmy-nominated HBO television show.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Clement has established a distinguished film career, showcasing his abilities in acting, voice acting, writing, and directing. He co-wrote and co-directed the cult hit vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows (2014) with Taika Waititi, a work that later inspired a successful television series adaptation. His notable film appearances include roles in blockbusters like Men in Black 3 (2012) and voice roles in animated features such as Despicable Me (2010), Rio (2011), Moana (2016), and The Lego Batman Movie (2017). Clement's work often integrates a distinct New Zealand sensibility, combining dry wit with a keen observation of human nature. His career reflects a commitment to innovative storytelling and a consistent engagement with a range of artistic expressions.
2. Early life and background
Jemaine Clement's early life in Masterton, New Zealand, shaped his artistic sensibilities and connection to his heritage.
2.1. Birth and family
Jemaine Atea Mahana Clement was born on 10 January 1974 in Masterton, within the Wairarapa region of New Zealand. He was raised in a working-class family primarily by his mother and grandmother, Maikara, alongside his two brothers. His middle names, Atea and Mahana, translate to "universe" and "heat" respectively in the Māori language. Clement's Pākehā father, Robert, worked at a freezing works and struggled with alcoholism, eventually leaving the family when Clement was a child. As an adult, Clement reconnected with his father, who became a stained glass artist in Midhurst, Taranaki, and they now share a "strong and loving" relationship.
2.2. Māori heritage
Clement has Māori ancestry through his mother, specifically from the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi (tribe). He is a direct descendant of the rangatirachiefMaori Iraia Te Ama-o-te-rangi Te Whaiti, who was his great-great-great grandfather. His mother and grandmother significantly influenced his sense of humor. Despite maintaining a strong connection to his Māori ethnicity through regular visits to various marae (Māori meeting grounds) with relatives, Clement grew up in an almost exclusively English-speaking environment due to historical bans on the te reo MāoriMāori languageMaori in schools. He has openly expressed regret about this linguistic disconnect and has emotionally recounted the physical abuse his grandmother endured at school for speaking te reo Māori.
2.3. Education and early collaborations
Clement attended Makoura College in Masterton. After completing high school, he moved to Wellington, where he pursued studies in drama and film at Victoria University of Wellington. During his time at university, he met Taika Waititi (also known as Taika Cohen), with whom he formed two comedy troupes: "So You're a Man" and "The Humourbeasts". In 2004, The Humourbeasts embarked on a New Zealand tour with their stage show, The Untold Tales of Maui, which creatively reimagined traditional Māori legends of Māui. This collaboration earned them New Zealand's highest comedy honor, the Billy T Award. It was also at Victoria University that Clement met Bret McKenzie, leading to their performance together in Edinburgh and the eventual formation of their renowned musical comedy duo, Flight of the Conchords.
3. Career
Jemaine Clement has cultivated a diverse and impactful career spanning music, film, television, and radio, marked by his distinctive comedic voice and versatility.
3.1. Music career
Clement's musical career is predominantly defined by his work as one half of the acclaimed musical comedy duo, Flight of the Conchords, alongside Bret McKenzie. He contributes a wide range of instruments to their performances and recordings, including bass guitar, guitar, percussion, keyboards, ukulele, omnichord, drums, flute, xylophone, and accordion, in addition to his distinctive vocals. Their music primarily falls under the comedy, folk, and acoustic genres.
3.1.1. Flight of the Conchords
The duo, Flight of the Conchords, formed after Clement and McKenzie met at Victoria University of Wellington. They quickly gained recognition for their unique blend of deadpan humor and witty, melodic songs. They toured internationally, releasing four critically acclaimed CDs: Folk the World Tour (2002), The Distant Future EP (2007), Flight of the Conchords (2008), and I Told You I Was Freaky (2009). The Distant Future EP notably won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 2008.
Their early success led to a six-part comedy radio program titled Flight of the Conchords on BBC Radio 2 in 2005. They also appeared on prominent American late-night talk shows such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the Late Show with David Letterman, and The Late Late Show. Following an appearance on HBO's One Night Stand in 2005, HBO commissioned their own 12-part television series, Flight of the Conchords, which was based on their earlier BBC radio series. The first season aired from June to September 2007, followed by a second season from January to March 2009. The series garnered six Primetime Emmy nominations for Clement, including for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, Outstanding Comedy Series, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. In December 2009, the duo announced that the show would not return for a third season.
3.2. Film career
Clement has an extensive filmography as an actor, writer, director, and voice actor, showcasing his range from independent films to major studio productions.
3.2.1. Early film roles
Clement's film debut was in the 2002 kung fu comedy Tongan Ninja, directed by New Zealander Jason Stutter. He continued his collaboration with Stutter on two other films: the low-budget ghost comedy Diagnosis: Death (2009) and the drama Predicament (2010), based on the book by New Zealand novelist Ronald Hugh Morrieson. In 2007, he starred in Eagle vs Shark. His role as Ronald Chevalier in the American comedy Gentlemen Broncos (2009), directed by Napoleon Dynamite-creator Jared Hess, earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. While Gentlemen Broncos received a generally negative critical reception, Clement's performance was often highlighted as a standout. In 2010, he also appeared in Dinner for Schmucks.
3.2.2. Directorial and writing
In 2014, Clement made his directorial debut with the vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. He co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in the film with Taika Waititi, portraying the character Vladislav. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 19 January 2014, gaining a cult following. Its success later led to its adaptation into an acclaimed FX television series of the same name, on which Clement also serves as a co-creator, director, writer, and executive producer.
3.2.3. Major film appearances and voice acting
Clement has lent his distinctive voice to numerous animated films. He voiced Jerry in Despicable Me (2010) and Nigel in Rio (2011) and its sequel Rio 2 (2014), for which he received an Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production nomination for the first Rio. In 2016, he voiced Tamatoa, a giant coconut crab, in the Disney animated film Moana, basing the character's voice on David Bowie. He reprised this role for the 2017 Māori dub of the movie, demonstrating his connection to his heritage. He also voiced the Fleshlumpeater in The BFG (2016), utilizing both voice and motion capture, and Sauron in The Lego Batman Movie (2017). In 2022, he voiced Aquaman in DC League of Super-Pets and reprised his role as Tamatoa in a voice cameo for the mid-credits scene of Moana 2 (2024).
His live-action roles in major films include playing the primary antagonist Boris the Animal in Men in Black 3 (2012), for which he received a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain nomination. He also made a cameo appearance as the Prison King in Muppets Most Wanted (2014). Clement starred in the independent film People Places Things (2015), which garnered positive reviews. Other notable film roles include Humor Me (2017), Brad's Status (2017), An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn (2018), The Breaker Upperers (2018), The Festival (2018), Patrick (2019), and I Used to Go Here (2020). He took on the role of Dr. Ian Garvin in James Cameron's highly anticipated sequel Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), a role he is set to reprise in Avatar 3 (2025) and Avatar 4 (pre-production). His upcoming projects also include voice roles in Thelma the Unicorn (2024), Wildwood (in production), and live-action roles in A Minecraft Movie (2025), M3GAN 2.0 (2025), I, Object (post-production), and Rogue Trooper (post-production).
3.3. Television career
Clement's television career spans early New Zealand sketch comedy to international series, where he has acted, written, directed, and produced.
3.3.1. Early television work
In New Zealand, Clement was a writer and cast member for the television sketch comedy shows Skitz (1996) and Tellylaughs (2002). He also appeared in an episode of The Enid Blyton Adventure Series (1996) and The Tribe (2002).
3.3.2. Flight of the Conchords (TV series)
The HBO series Flight of the Conchords was a significant milestone in Clement's career. He starred as himself, alongside Bret McKenzie, in 22 episodes from 2007 to 2009. In addition to his on-screen role, he was a co-creator, writer, and executive producer for the series, which critically explored the misadventures of the fictionalized band as they navigated life and music in New York City.
3.3.3. Other television roles
Clement has had numerous notable guest and recurring roles in various television series. In 2008, he provided voice work for two episodes of The Drinky Crow Show, and in 2009, he appeared in an episode of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. He guest starred in Elementary School Musical, the season premiere of the 22nd season of The Simpsons, which aired on 26 September 2010, voicing Ethan Ballantyne. He also voiced Professor Koontz in an episode of Napoleon Dynamite (2012) and various characters in Out There and #7DaysLater (both 2013).
Clement directed the 2014 series Short Poppies. From 2014 to 2016, he voiced multiple characters in seven episodes of TripTank. In 2015, he voiced Fart, a "mind-reading fart," on an episode of the Adult Swim animated series Rick and Morty, where he performed the song "Goodbye Moonmen." He also starred in Divorce (2016), and from 2016 to 2018, he appeared in four episodes of Another Period. His voice work continued with Ziggy in Regular Show (2016), and Orton Mahlson/Dr. Zone in Milo Murphy's Law (2016-2019).
From 2017 to 2019, Clement played the character Oliver Bird in 14 episodes of the FX TV series Legion. Other voice roles include Magunga in American Dad! (2017), and the Narrator in Robot Chicken (2017). He was also a co-creator, director, writer, and executive producer for Wellington Paranormal (2018-2022), a spin-off of What We Do in the Shadows, for which he also voiced Mobot in one episode. He appeared in the television special Flight of the Conchords: Live in London (2018), serving as writer and producer.
Clement has continued his involvement with the What We Do in the Shadows universe, making guest appearances as Vladislav in the FX TV series (2019-2024), where he also serves as co-creator, director, writer, and executive producer. He has a main voice role as Lou in Kiri and Lou (2019-present) and appeared in Year of the Rabbit (2019). Recent voice roles include Kerry Moonbeam in Steven Universe Future (2020), a main role as This Guy in Tig n' Seek (2020-2022), Simon Sex in Big Mouth (2021) and Human Resources (2022-2023), and Principal Bazwell in Koala Man (2023). In 2024, Clement took on the role of Pure Evil in the series Time Bandits, for which he also served as co-writer, executive producer, and director for several episodes.
3.4. Radio and podcast work
Clement has also made significant contributions to radio and podcasts. In 1999, he was recognized as a Radio Awards Winner for his writing on Trashed for Channel Z in Wellington. The following year, he received a Special Radio Awards Commendation for The Sunglass Store. His musical comedy duo's six-part radio program, Flight of the Conchords, aired on BBC Radio 2 in 2005, serving as a precursor to their HBO series. In 2016, he voiced Lord Joseph Banks in the podcast The Mysterious Secrets Of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium.
4. Filmography
Clement has appeared in a wide array of films across various genres and roles, including acting, voice acting, directing, and writing.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Blood Suckers | Vampire | |
| 1999 | Fizz | Chased Man | Short film |
| 2002 | Tongan Ninja | Action Fighter (Marvin) | Also writer |
| 2004 | Futile Attraction | Editor | |
| 2007 | Eagle vs Shark | Jarrod | |
| 2009 | Gentlemen Broncos | Ronald Chevalier | Nominated - Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male |
| Diagnosis: Death | Garfield Olyphant | ||
| 2010 | Despicable Me | Jerry the Minion | Voice role |
| Predicament | Spook | ||
| Dinner for Schmucks | Kieran Vollard | ||
| 2011 | Rio | Nigel | Voice role; Nominated - Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production |
| 2012 | Men in Black 3 | Boris the Animal | Nominated - Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain |
| Rhys Darby: This Way to the Spaceship | Spaceship | Recorded voice role | |
| 2014 | What We Do in the Shadows | Vladislav | Also director, writer and co-producer |
| Muppets Most Wanted | Prison King | Cameo appearance | |
| Rio 2 | Nigel | Voice role | |
| 2015 | People Places Things | Will Henry | |
| 2016 | Ratchet & Clank | Dallas Wannamaker | Voice role |
| The BFG | The Fleshlumpeater | Voice and motion capture | |
| Moana | Tamatoa | Voice role; also voiced the character in the 2017 Māori dub | |
| 2017 | The Lego Batman Movie | Sauron | Voice role |
| Humor Me | Nate Kroll | ||
| Brad's Status | Billy Wearsiter | ||
| 2018 | An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn | Colin Keith Threadener | |
| The Breaker Upperers | Tinder Date | Cameo appearance | |
| The Festival | Robin | ||
| 2019 | Patrick | Dustin | |
| 2020 | I Used to Go Here | David Kirkpatrick | |
| 2022 | Nude Tuesday | Bjorg Rasmussen | |
| Don't Make Me Go | Dale Angelo | Streaming film | |
| DC League of Super-Pets | Aquaman | Voice role | |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | Dr. Ian Garvin | ||
| 2023 | The Moon Is Upside Down | MacIntosh | |
| 2024 | Thelma the Unicorn | Vic Diamond | Voice role; streaming film |
| Harold and the Purple Crayon | Gary | ||
| Moana 2 | Tamatoa | Voice cameo; Mid-credits scene | |
| 2025 | A Minecraft Movie | Post-production | |
| M3GAN 2.0 | Post-production | ||
| Avatar 3 | Dr. Ian Garvin | Post-production | |
| Wildwood | Owl Rex | Voice role; in production | |
| TBA | I, Object | Post-production | |
| Rogue Trooper | Post-production | ||
| Avatar 4 | Dr. Ian Garvin | Pre-production |
5. Theater
Clement's stage work includes various performances.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Rover (Studio 77) | Himself | Episode: "The Rover" |
6. Television
Clement's extensive television credits include roles as an actor, voice actor, writer, director, and executive producer.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Enid Blyton Adventure Series | MIS Guard | Episode: "Circus of Adventures" |
| 2002 | The Tribe | VR Cowboy No. 2 | Episode #4.24 |
| 2007-2009 | Flight of the Conchords | Himself | 22 episodes; Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2008 | The Drinky Crow Show | Alien | Voice role, 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Eric's Tennis Double | Episode: "Tennis" |
| 2010 | Radiradirah | Sheep | 3 episodes |
| The Simpsons | Ethan Ballantyne | Voice role, episode: "Elementary School Musical" | |
| 2012 | Napoleon Dynamite | Professor Koontz | Voice role, episode: "Scantronica Love" |
| 2013 | Out There | Babel / Tenebres | Voice role, episode: "Enter Destiny" |
| #7DaysLater | Ms. Lockett's Father | Voice role, episode: "Portrait" | |
| 2014 | Short Poppies | - | Director |
| 2014-2016 | TripTank | Sir Ian / Alistair / Caller / Erebos / Judge Bluetail / Man in Line | Voice role, 7 episodes |
| 2015 | Rick and Morty | Fart | Voice role, episode: "Mortynight Run" |
| 2016 | Regular Show | Ziggy | Voice role, episode: "California King" |
| Inside Amy Schumer | DJ | Episode: "Psychopath Test" | |
| 2016-2018 | Another Period | Father Black Donahue | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Divorce | Julian Renaut | 6 episodes |
| 2016-2019 | Milo Murphy's Law | Orton Mahlson / Dr. Zone | Voice role, 5 episodes |
| 2017-2019 | Legion | Oliver Bird | 14 episodes |
| 2017 | American Dad! | Magunga | Voice role, episode: "Bazooka Steve" |
| Wrecked | Luther | 3 episodes | |
| Robot Chicken | Narrator | Voice role, episode: "Freshly Baked: The Robot Chicken Santa Claus Pot Cookie Freakout Special: Special Edition" | |
| 2018-2022 | Wellington Paranormal | Mobot | Voice role, episode: "Mobot"; Also co-creator, director, writer and executive producer |
| 2018 | We Bare Bears | Courtney | Voice role, episode: "Rescue Ranger" |
| Flight of the Conchords: Live in London | Himself | Special; Also writer and producer | |
| 2019-2024 | What We Do in the Shadows | Vladislav | Also co-creator, director, writer and executive producer; 2 episodes |
| 2019-present | Kiri and Lou | Lou | Voice role, main role |
| 2019 | Year of the Rabbit | Tall Man | Episode: "Framed Rabbit" |
| 2020 | Steven Universe Future | Kerry Moonbeam | Voice role, episode: "Mr. Universe" |
| 2020-2022 | Tig n' Seek | This Guy | Main voice role |
| 2021 | Big Mouth | Simon Sex | Voice role, episode: "Best Friends Make the Best Lovers" |
| 2022-2023 | Human Resources | Simon Sex | Voice role, 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Koala Man | Principal Bazwell | Main voice role |
| 2024 | Time Bandits | Pure Evil | Also co-writer, executive producer, and director of several episodes |
7. Discography
Clement's discography primarily consists of releases with Flight of the Conchords and contributions to film soundtracks.
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Folk the World Tour | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2007 | The Distant Future | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2008 | Flight of the Conchords | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2009 | I Told You I Was Freaky | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2011 | "Pretty Bird" | Rio soundtrack |
| 2014 | "I Will Survive" | Rio 2 soundtrack |
| 2016 | "Shiny" | Moana soundtrack |
| 2018 | "Goodbye Moonmen" | Rick and Morty soundtrack |
| 2019 | Live in London | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2020 | "Mr. Universe" | Steven Universe Future |
8. Awards and nominations
Jemaine Clement has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, particularly for his work with Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows.
| Award | Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annie Awards | 2010 | The Simpsons: "Elementary School Musical" | Music in a Television Production | Nominated |
| 2011 | Rio | Voice Acting in a Feature Production | Nominated | |
| Emmy Awards | 2008 | "Yoko" | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| "Inner City Pressure" | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | Nominated | ||
| "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)" | Nominated | |||
| 2009 | Flight of the Conchords | Outstanding Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| "Prime Minister" | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| "Carol Brown" | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | "Father & Son" | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | Nominated | |
| 2020 | What We Do in the Shadows | Outstanding Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Nominated | |||
| Grammy Awards | 2007 | The Distant Future | Best Comedy Album | Won |
| 2008 | Flight of the Conchords | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | I Told You I Was Freaky | Nominated | ||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2008 | Flight of the Conchords | Album of the Year | Won |
| Best Group | Won | |||
| Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Won | |||
| Flight of the Conchords | International Achievement | Won | ||
| 2013 | "Feel Inside (And Stuff Like That)" | Highest Selling New Zealand Single | Won | |
| New Zealand Television Awards | 2019 | Wellington Paranormal | Best Script: Comedy | Nominated |
| Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | 2008 | Flight of the Conchords | Funniest Duo | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2007 | Flight of the Conchords | Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
| 2009 | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |||
| TCA Awards | 2008 | Flight of the Conchords | Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Nominated |
| Outstanding New Program | Nominated | |||
| Teen Choice Awards | 2012 | Men in Black 3 | Choice Movie Villain | Nominated |
| Writers Guild of America Awards | 2007 | Flight of the Conchords | Comedy Series | Nominated |
| New Series | Nominated | |||
| "Sally Returns" | Episodic Comedy | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | What We Do in the Shadows | New Series | Nominated |
9. Personal life
Clement married longtime girlfriend, theatre actress and playwright Miranda Manasiadis, in August 2008. Their son, Sophocles Iraia, was born in October 2008 in New York City. Their son's name honors both Manasiadis's Greek great-grandfather Sophocles and Clement's Māori ancestor Iraia Te Ama-o-te-rangi Te Whaiti. The family resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Clement has never learned to drive, as his family did not own a car when he was a child.
